Apparatus for pivotably mounting a load container at a travelling carriage of overhead conveyors or the like

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for the pivotable mounting of a load container at a travelling carriage or similar mechanism of overhead conveyors or the like such that the load container always is suspended vertically or perpendicularly independent of the position of the travelling carriage. The inventive apparatus embodies two support holders arranged at the load container and two swivel or hinge joint devices arranged at the suspension mechanism of the travelling carriage. Each swivel or hinge joint mechanism embodies at least two components which are rotatable relative to one another, wherein one component is fixed with the suspension mechanism of the traveling carriage and the other free component is at least partially enclosed by the associated support holder. These components of each swivel joint mechanism and the associated support holder are constructed in such a way that the suspended load container is centered with respect to the suspension mechanism in two directions which are approximately perpendicular to one another.

' United States Patent Schurch [451 May 16, 1972 54] APPARATUS FORPIVOTABLY 3,420,548 1/1969 Wakeman.... ..280/432 MOUNTING A LOADCONTAINER AT A 2,004,910 6/1935 Fieldman ..188/89 TRAVELLING CARRIAGE OFOVERHEAD CONVEYORS OR THE LIKE Inventor: Eugen Schurch, Gerlafingen,Switzerland Assignee: Von Roll AG, Gerlafingen, Switzerland Filed: May5, 1970 Appl. No.: 34,757

Foreign Application Priority Data May 9, 1959 Switzerland ..7172/69References Cited UN lTED STATES PATENTS 1/1960 Williams et a1. ..294/73Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner.lohnny D. CherryAttorney-Werner W. Kleeman ABSTRACT An apparatus for the pivotablemounting of a load container at a travelling carriage or similarmechanism of overhead conveyors or the like such that the load containeralways is suspended vertically or perpendicularly independent of theposition of the travelling carriage. The inventive apparatus embodiestwo support holders arranged at the load container and two swivel orhinge joint devices arranged at the suspension mechanism of thetravelling carriage. Each swivel or hinge joint mechanism embodies atleast two components which are rotatable relative to one another,wherein one component is fixed with the suspension mechanism of thetraveling carriage and the other free component is at least partiallyenclosed by the associated support holder. These components of eachswivel joint mechanism and the associated support holder are constructedin such a way that the suspended load container is centered with respectto the suspension mechanism in two directions which are approximatelyperpendicular to one another.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 16 I972 3. 663 O52 sum 1 0F 2rlbr Art prior 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEY PATENTEDMAY 16 I972 3. 663 052 SHEET2 0F 2 BY m J/% WQM/ ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR PIVOTABLY MOUNTING A LOADCONTAINER AT A TRAVELLING CARRIAGE OF OVERHEAD CONVEYORS OR THE LIKEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates toan improvedapparatus for the pivotable mounting of a load container at a travellingcarriage or similar mechanism of overhead or suspended conveyors,trolleys or the like, and specifically, in such a fashion that the loadcontainer is always hanging vertically or perpendicularly independent ofthe position of the travelling carriage. If load containers conveyingmaterial which require a continuous vertical or perpendicular positionof the load container, for instance during the conveying of materials inopen containers, are transported at overhead conveyors or trolleys, thetrack rails of which are not situated solely in one plane, rather arespatially arranged, i.e., possess horizontal, inclined and verticallyextending track rails with suitable transfer or transition locations,then it is necessary that the mounting of the load container at thetravelling carriage or the like of the suspension or overhead conveyorbe constructed in such a fashion that this load container always assumesa vertical position independent of the momentary position of thetravelling carriage.

One solution employed for overhead conveyors which has become known tothe art contemplates suspending the load container at two hooks providedat the overhead conveyor through the agency of a respective pin memberarranged at each of two sides of the load container. This solutionenables the load container to always assume a vertical position. Yet, amajor drawback of this type of prior art construction resides in thefact that if it is necessary for the load container to carry outmovements which respect to the hooks through an angle of approximately180, because for instance of the arrangement of the track rail, andwhich can occur when transferring from a vertical rail for the upwardtravel of the load container to a vertical rail for the downward travelthereof, then the load container will fall from the conveying system.Not only is this dangerous for any personnel who might be in thevicinity of the system but also it results in damage to the goods beingconveyed.

art solution, there is the further major disadvantage which isassociated with the known support devices that it is impossible toachieve an exact lateral centering of theload container at thesuspension system. This can be disadvantageous during unloading andloading of the load container. Furthermore, the suspension of the loadcontainer itself through the use of hooks is a cumbersome procedure,since these hooks must be suspended at an inclination from below at thesupport pins arranged at the load container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, a real need exists in the art for animproved apparatus for the pivotable mounting of a load container at atravelling carriage of overhead or suspended conveyors or the like whichdoes not possess the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior artconstructions. The present invention therefore has for one of itsprimary objectives to provide such an apparatus which fulfills thisneed.

Another, more specific object of the present invention relates to animproved apparatus for pivotably mounting a load container at atravelling carriage or the like of overhead conveyors or similar systemswhich afiords for quick, reliable, and easy mounting and dismantling ofthe load container at the travelling carriage, affords adequatecentering of the load container at the suspension mechanism of thetraveling carriage, provides for safe transport and carrying of theloads without danger of the load container dropping off of the systemwhen the conveying operation occurs in different positions or requiresthe load container to move through different spatial directions, andfinally, ensures for a conveying system which is not readily subject tobreakdown and extremely capable of performing its intended function.

Apart from the foregoing significant drawbacks of this prior Now, inorder to implement these and still further objects of the invention,which will become more readily apparent as the descriptionproceeds, theinventive apparatus of the aforementioned type is generally manifestedby the features that it comprises two support holders arranged at theload container and two swivel or hinge joint devices arranged at thesuspension mechanism of the travelling carriage or the like. Each of theswivel joint mechanisms advantageously consists of at least twocomponents rotatable relative to one another, one such component beingfixedly connected with the suspension mechanism of the travellingcarriage of the overhead conveyor and the other free component of whichis at least partially surrounded or enclosed by the associated supportholder. Furthermore, these components of each swivel joint mechanism andthe associated support holder are constructed in such a way that thesuspended load container is centered with respect to the suspensionmechanism in two directions which are approximately perpendicular to oneanother.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be betterunderstood and objects other than those set forth above will becomeapparent when consideration is given to the following detaileddescription thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexeddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a prior art mounting arrangement for aload container through the use of hook members;

FIG. 2 shows the prior art mounting arrangement of FIG. 1 with the hookspivoted through an angle of approximately FIG. 3 is a schematicrepresentation of a preferred embodiment of inventive mounting orsupport apparatus for the load container of an overhead conveying systemor the like;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing details of one ofthe schematically depicted swivel joint devices and its associatedsupport holder used in the mounting apparatus for a load container of atravelling carriage of overhead conveyors employed in the system of FIG.6, and taken substan tially along the line IV-IV thereof;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates in top plan view details of DETAILEDDESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, inFIGS. 1 and 2 there is represented a known type of mounting arrangementfor load containers 1 through the use of hook members 2. The loadcontainer 1 will be seen to possess two fixed pin members 3 by means ofwhich the load container 1 can be suspended at the hook members 2. Now,if a relative rotation occurs between the load container 1 and the hookmembers 2 from the position depicted in FIG. 1 to that of FIG. 2, thenit will be readily apparent that with a conventional hook constructionthe load container 1 must fall. However, in overhead or suspensionconveying systems utilizing vertical and horizontal rails, suchpositional changes of the suspension mechanism with respect to the loadcontainer occur, so that a hook-like suspension of the load container isnot possible with such type conveying installations.

Now in FIGS. 3-6 there is depicted a preferred embodiment of inventiveapparatus for the pivotal mounting of a load container at a travellingcarriage or the like of suspension or overhead conveyors, trolleys orequivalent structure. Referring now specifically to FIG. 3, depictingand describing generally the most significant elements of the systemnecessary to understand the construction and operation thereof, itshould be understood that reference numeral 4 designates the loadcontainer equipped at two sides at its upper edge with a respectivesupport or carrier holder 5 in the form of a trough 5a. Referencenumeral 6 designates a frame portion of the partially illustratedsuspended travelling carriage at which there is secured a suspensionmechanism 7. Suspension mechanism 7 for the travelling carriagearrangement, generally designated by reference character 60, will beseen to comprise a horizontally disposed support element 8 and arespective vertically depending support arm member 9 and 10 arranged ateach end of this horizontally extending support element 8. Furthermore,at the free end of each support arm member 9, 10 there is arranged arespective swivel or hinge joint mechanism, designated in its entiretyby reference character 50, and composed of the two components 11, 12,wherein the component 11 constitutes a pin member fixed to thesuspension mechanism 7, and the other component of each swivel jointmechanism comprises a rotatable disc or plate member 12 secured to thefree end of the associated pin member 11. The elements 8-12 collectively'form the suspension system or mechanism 7 for the load container 4 orthe like.

Continuing, itv should be understood that each troughshaped supportholder 5 when the load container 4 is suspended, encircles orencompasses at least partially the associated plate or disc member 12and bears at two locations upon such associated plate member 12, all aswill be more fully explained hereinafter with respect to the discussionof the arrangement of FIGS. 4 and 5.

Now with the aid of the support holders 5 and the swivel or hinge jointdevices 50, embodying the components 11 and 12 heretofore considered, itis possible to simply suspend and disconnect the load container 4 at theconveyor system. More exactly, the load container 4 is raised at theloading and unloading station to such an extent that it can travelbeneath the suspension mechanism 7 without the plate members 12contacting the associated support holders 5. Thereafter, this loadcontainer 1 is lowered onto and in contact with the plate members l2 andtherefore is ready to be transported. F urthermore, one noteworthyadvantage of thesystem heretofore disclosed and described is the factthat it is not necessary to exactly align and center the load container4 in order to introduce the plate members 12 into the associated supportholders 5. Rather, the load container 4 can be offset by a certainamount and nonetheless the swivel joint mechanisms 50 can be properlyjoined with the support holders 5, again as will be more fully explainedhereinafter.

Now in FIGS. 46 inclusive, there is precisely described the cooperativerelationship of each swivel joint mechanism 21, 18 with its associatedsupport holder 19, corresponding to the support holders 5 of FIG. 3.Thus, at the support arm members 20, corresponding to the arms 9 and 10of FIG. 3, there is secured in any suitable way a pin member 21,corresponding to pin member 11 of FIG. 3, and at which there isconnected for rotation the associated plate or disc member 18,corresponding to the plate'l2 of FIG. 3. Now if the load container issuspended at the travelling carriage 6a or the like, then each platemember 18 engages with the associated support holder 19. Support holder19 is composed of a component forming a substantially roof-shaped trough22 which is attached to the relevant sides of the load container 23 andreinforced by the wall members 24. As best seen by referring to FIG. 5,showing in plan view the roof-shaped trough 22, such is composed of fourinclined walls 22, 22" and forms a downwardly open pocket for receivingfrom below the associated plate member 18.

This roof-shaped configuration of each trough 22 having the mutuallyinclined walls 22', 22" affords a centering of the load container, uponsuspension of the load, in two directions which are perpendicular to oneanother. By means of the wall portions 22 there occurs a lateralcentering while the inclination of the transverse wall portions 22"ensure for a centering in a direction which is perpendicular thereto.Consequently, the load containers 23 upon being suspended need not beexactly aligned with the suspension mechanism. It is sufficient if, uponlowering the load container 23, that the plate member 18 extendssomewhat into the opening of each associated trough 22 of the associatedsupport holder 19, so that the mutual position of the plate member 18and trough 22 will automatically occur upon lowering of the loadcontainer 23. Furthermore, it will be observed that the plate member 18bears at the locations 19 (FIG. 4) against the walls or wall portions22" of the trough 22, whereas at the apex of the trough such platemember 18 is not contacted and is freely disposed by a small amountdesignated by reference character 51in FIGS. 4 and 6.

During operation of a suspended conveyor system or overhead conveyor,where the load container is pivotably mounted with the aid of thedescribed swivel joint devices, it is necessary to avoid undersiredoscillations or pendulations of the load container. Accordingly, it isadvantageous to provide suitable dampening devices at the swivel jointmechanisms. In the arrangement of FIG. 6 there is schematicallyillustrated one suitable form-of dampening mechanism, designated in itsentirety by reference numeral 41, ancl constituting a springloadedfriction brake arrangement, thespring tension of which can be adjustedin suitable manner, for instance through an adjustment screw as is wellknown to the art. The adjustment of the friction brake 41 isadvantageously undertaken when the load container is empty and can onlybe so strong that the empty container always again returns into thevertical or perpendicular position. In so doing, the plate member 18should not move relative-to the associated support holder 19 and theassociated trough 22. This can be obtained in that the inclination ofthe walls 22 of the trough 22 (FIG. 5) is chosen such that the brakeddisc or plate member 18 cannot rotate in its associated trough 22 sothat the desired braking action is not relinquished.

A further solution for dampening device is depicted in FIG. 7 wherein arotatable vane drive is mounted in a circular cylindrical hollowcompartment of the disc or plate member of one of both swivel or hingejoint mechanisms. Turning now to this embodiment of dampening device asshown in FIG. 7, it will be understood that reference numeral 30designates one of the plate or disc members and reference numeral 31 theclosed hollow compartment or space arranged inside or outside of theassociated plate or disc member 30, yet fixedly connected therewith andfilled with a suitable viscous liquid 32. A rotary vane member 33 isarranged within the hollow space 31, and

which for instance is fixedly arranged at the rotary hinge joint pinmember 11 (FIG. 3) or 21 (FIG. 6). This rotary vane member33, togetherwith a further web member 31a disposed at the wall of the hollowcompartment 31, subdivides this hollow compartment into two chambers orregions 34, 35 communicating with one another via a channel or variableorifice 38. Channel 38 can be throttled to a greater or lesser extentthrough the agency of a suitable screw member 39. Further, suitablesealing means 36, 37 ensure that the dampening liquid or fluid medium32, during relative movement of the rotary vane member 33 with respectto the housing 31, can only circulate via the bore or channel 38.

The rotary vane drive illustrated in FIG. 7 renders possible relativemovements between the load container and the suspension mechanismgreater than 180. However, in order to ensure that upon suspension ofthe load containers the position of the plate members corresponds withthe position of the load container, a weight 40 is advantageouslyarranged at the plate member 30, this weight serving to always maintainthe plate member 30 in the illustrated position independent of theposition of the rotary vane arrangement 33. If, for instance, a loadcontainer is suspended at a vertical conveying rail or track, then therotary vane arrangement 33 assumes a position which is displaced by fromthe position depicted in FIG. 7. When the load is transferred to ahorizontal rail or track, then the rotary vane 33 moves back into theposition of FIG. 7. Of

course, the weight 40 can be arranged in a different form, for instance,instead of radially enlarging the marginal portion of the plate member30, as shown in FIG. 7, to axially widen same. While the weight member40 is shown as an integral part of the associated disc or plate memberin the arrangement of F IG, 7, it would of course be possible to use aseparate weight.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practicedwithin the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for pivotably mounting a load container at a travellingcarriage of an overhead conveyor or the like, such that the loadcontainer is always suspended substantially vertically independent ofthe position of the travelling carriage, comprising a load containerhaving a bottom end and at least one pair of oppositely situated sides,two support holders provided for said load container at said oppositesides thereof, each of said support holders being downwardly open in thedirection of the bottom end, a suspension mechanism for the travellingcarriage, two swivel joint devices carried by said suspension mechanismand releasably engaging with said two downwardly open support holders,each of said swivel joint mechanisms comprising at least two relativelyrotatable components, one of said components being fixedly connectedwith said suspension mechanism and the other freely movable componentbeing at least partially enclosed by the associated downwardly opensupport holder, said components of each swivel joint device and itsassociated support holder having cooperating means for centering thesuspended load container with respect to said suspension mechanism intwo directions approximately perpendicular to one another, saidcooperating means of each support holder comprises members defining asubstantially roof-shaped trough open at the bottom and said cooperatingmeans of the associated swivel joint device is defined by asubstantially plate-like configured member forming said other freelymovable component, said plate-like configured member being rotatablerelative to the support holder, said substantially roof-shaped troughengaging said plate-like configured member nondisplaceably and withoutplay when said load container is suspended at said swivel joint devices.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said plate-like configuredmember defining said freely movable component of each swivel jointdevice comprises a substantially circularshaped plate member which ismounted at said one component connected with said suspension mechanismand which plate member can be introduced in every position into theassociated support holder, said plate member bearing at two locations atsaid substantially roof-shaped trough and being centered thereby.

3. An apparatus for pivotably mounting a load container at a travellingcarriage of an overhead conveyor or the like, such that the loadcontainer is always suspended substantially vertically independent ofthe position of the travelling carriage, comprising a load container,two support holders provided for said load container, a suspensionmechanism for the travelling carriage, two swivel joint devices carriedby said suspension mechanism and engaging with said two support holders,each of said swivel joint mechanisms comprising at least two relativelyrotatable components, one of said components being fixedly connectedwith said suspension mechanism and the other freely movable componentbeing at least partially enclosed by the associated support holder, saidcomponents of each swivel joint device and its associated support holderhaving cooperating means for centering the suspended load container withrespect to said suspension mechanism in two directions approximatelyperpendicular to one another, said cooperating means of each supportholder comprising at least two transverse wall members which areinclined towards one another and define a substantially roof-shapedtrough.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 3, further including means fordampening movements of said load container coupled with said componentsof at least one of said swivel joint devices.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said dampening meanscomprises an adjustable friction brake means.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said dampening meanscomprises a hydraulic dampening device equipped with variable orificemeans allowing for circulation of the hydraulic fluid medium.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said dampening meanscomprises means defining a compartment filled with a fluid medium,rotatable vane means for dividing said compartment into two chambers,and throttleable channel means for operatively coupling said twochambers with one another.

8. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said dampening meansincorporates a weight member for coordinating the position of saidfreely movable component of the associated swivel joint device with theposition of the associated support holder upon suspension of the loadcontainer.

9. An apparatus for pivotably mounting a load container at a travellingcarriage of an overhead conveyor or the like, such that the loadcontainer is always suspended substantially vertically independent ofthe position of the travelling carriage, comprising a load container,two support holders provided for said load container, a suspensionmechanism for the travelling carriage two swivel joint devices carriedby said suspension mechanism and engaging with said two support holders,each of said swivel joint mechanisms comprising at least two relativelyrotatable components one of said components being fixedly connected withsaid suspension mechanism and the other freely movable component beingat least partially enclosed by the associated support holder, saidcomponents of each swivel joint device and its associated support holderhaving cooperating means for centering the suspended load container withrespect to said suspension mechanism in two directions approximatelyperpendicular to one another, means for dampening movements of said loadcontainer coupled with said components of at least one of said swiveljoint devices, said cooperating means of each support holder comprisinginclined wall means defining a substantially roof-shaped trough, andwherein said other freely movable component comprises a plate member,the inclination of said wall means in the direction of travel of saidload container being chosen to be large enough that said trough andplate member are not displaceable relative to one another under theaction of said dampening means.

1. An apparatus for pivotably mounting a load container at a travellingcarriage of an overhead conveyor or the like, such that the loadcontainer is always suspended substantially vertically independent ofthe position of the travelling carriage, comprising a load containerhaving a bottom end and at least one pair of oppositely situated sides,two support holders provided for said load container at said oppositesides thereof, each of said support holders being downwardly open in thedirection of the bottom end, a suspension mechanism for the travellingcarriage, two swivel joint devices carried by said suspension mechanismand releasably engaging with said two downwardly open support holders,each of said swivel joint mechanisms comprising at least two relativelyrotatable components, one of said components being fixedly connectedwith said suspension mechanism and the other freely movable componentbeing at least partially enclosed by the associated downwardly opensupport holder, said components of Each swivel joint device and itsassociated support holder having cooperating means for centering thesuspended load container with respect to said suspension mechanism intwo directions approximately perpendicular to one another, saidcooperating means of each support holder comprises members defining asubstantially roofshaped trough open at the bottom and said cooperatingmeans of the associated swivel joint device is defined by asubstantially plate-like configured member forming said other freelymovable component, said plate-like configured member being rotatablerelative to the support holder, said substantially roof-shaped troughengaging said plate-like configured member nondisplaceably and withoutplay when said load container is suspended at said swivel joint devices.2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said plate-like configuredmember defining said freely movable component of each swivel jointdevice comprises a substantially circular-shaped plate member which ismounted at said one component connected with said suspension mechanismand which plate member can be introduced in every position into theassociated support holder, said plate member bearing at two locations atsaid substantially roof-shaped trough and being centered thereby.
 3. Anapparatus for pivotably mounting a load container at a travellingcarriage of an overhead conveyor or the like, such that the loadcontainer is always suspended substantially vertically independent ofthe position of the travelling carriage, comprising a load container,two support holders provided for said load container, a suspensionmechanism for the travelling carriage, two swivel joint devices carriedby said suspension mechanism and engaging with said two support holders,each of said swivel joint mechanisms comprising at least two relativelyrotatable components, one of said components being fixedly connectedwith said suspension mechanism and the other freely movable componentbeing at least partially enclosed by the associated support holder, saidcomponents of each swivel joint device and its associated support holderhaving cooperating means for centering the suspended load container withrespect to said suspension mechanism in two directions approximatelyperpendicular to one another, said cooperating means of each supportholder comprising at least two transverse wall members which areinclined towards one another and define a substantially roof-shapedtrough.
 4. The apparatus defined in claim 3, further including means fordampening movements of said load container coupled with said componentsof at least one of said swivel joint devices.
 5. The apparatus definedin claim 4, wherein said dampening means comprises an adjustablefriction brake means.
 6. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein saiddampening means comprises a hydraulic dampening device equipped withvariable orifice means allowing for circulation of the hydraulic fluidmedium.
 7. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein said dampeningmeans comprises means defining a compartment filled with a fluid medium,rotatable vane means for dividing said compartment into two chambers,and throttleable channel means for operatively coupling said twochambers with one another.
 8. The apparatus defined in claim 4, whereinsaid dampening means incorporates a weight member for coordinating theposition of said freely movable component of the associated swivel jointdevice with the position of the associated support holder uponsuspension of the load container.
 9. An apparatus for pivotably mountinga load container at a travelling carriage of an overhead conveyor or thelike, such that the load container is always suspended substantiallyvertically independent of the position of the travelling carriage,comprising a load container, two support holders provided for said loadcontainer, a suspension mechanism for the travelling carriage two swiveljoint devices carried by said suspension mechanism and engaging withsaid two supPort holders, each of said swivel joint mechanismscomprising at least two relatively rotatable components one of saidcomponents being fixedly connected with said suspension mechanism andthe other freely movable component being at least partially enclosed bythe associated support holder, said components of each swivel jointdevice and its associated support holder having cooperating means forcentering the suspended load container with respect to said suspensionmechanism in two directions approximately perpendicular to one another,means for dampening movements of said load container coupled with saidcomponents of at least one of said swivel joint devices, saidcooperating means of each support holder comprising inclined wall meansdefining a substantially roof-shaped trough, and wherein said otherfreely movable component comprises a plate member, the inclination ofsaid wall means in the direction of travel of said load container beingchosen to be large enough that said trough and plate member are notdisplaceable relative to one another under the action of said dampeningmeans.